San Francisco 49ers sign Nnamdi Asomugha

Former All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha signed a one-year deal with the 49ers on Tuesday, potentially bolstering a secondary that struggled against the pass in the postseason.

The deal first was reported by ESPN. The 49ers have not confirmed the signing. Asomugha was unavailable for comment, though he is in the Bay Area working with students as part of an annual event he sponsors.

Asomugha, 31, spent his first eight NFL season with the Raiders, where he developed into one of the game's best all-around cornerbacks. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles the past two seasons.

Asomugha, 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, signed a five-year contract with the Eagles in 2011 that guaranteed him $25 million. The Eagles cut him earlier this offseason, and they are on the hook for $4 million to Asomugha this season.

The San Francisco 49ers have signed cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who began his career with the Oakland Raiders and before playing the last two seasons wit the Philadelphia Eagles. (AP Photo/Michael Perez, File)

The 49ers won out over the New Orleans Saints for Asomugha's services, with the 49ers giving him a contract that can net Asomugha as much as $3 million.

Asomugha likely will compete for a starting spot at one of two cornerback spots. Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown started at cornerback for the 49ers the past two seasons, with Chris Culliver the nickel back.

The Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens torched the 49ers secondary in the NFC Championship game and Super Bowl, respectively.

It's also conceivable that the 49ers will convert Asomugha to safety in light of Dashon Goldson's departure to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers via free agency.

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Asomugha played safety at Cal for most of his collegiate career before he converted to cornerback early in his senior season. He played cornerback almost exclusively for the Raiders.

The 49ers' trade with the Cleveland Browns for quarterback Colt McCoy was completed Tuesday after McCoy passed a physical. The 49ers reportedly sent 2013 fifth- and seventh-round draft picks to the Browns for McCoy and a sixth-round pick.

"We are pleased to add another high-character player like Colt to our roster," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a release. "He is a young, competitive player who we are looking forward to working with."

McCoy, 25, will have the chance to win the backup job behind Colin Kaepernick.

McCoy showed up in Cleveland on Monday to participate in the team's offseason training regimen only to learn he was headed West.

"It's good to get a new fresh start, fresh opportunity, and to do it with a team that's well established," McCoy said. "I've heard nothing but great things about this place. It's a blessing."

McCoy spent the past day pondering his up-and-down tenure in northern Ohio.

"There were some great things that went on, and sometimes I learned from things that went on," McCoy said. "I have no hard feelings."